Controls Engineer (Day Shift)

Socket.dev; Cibolo (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Controls Engineer to maintain, upgrade, and troubleshoot the controls system for industrial machining equipment and robotic assemblies within our manufacturing site in Texas. You will work cross-functionally with maintenance, engineering, and production teams to keep equipment running efficiently.

Responsibilities include programming and debugging PLCs, HMIs, and motion controllers; reading schematics; implementing upgrades; and ensuring safety and quality.

Qualifications

• 2+ years troubleshooting and modifying PLC programs.
• Experience reading ladder diagrams and schematics.
• Ability to collaborate across maintenance, engineering, and production teams.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement.
• Familiarity with safety and electrical codes.

Responsibilities

• Provide controls engineering support for CNC machining centers, assembly equipment, robotics, vision systems, automated production equipment, and facility automation.
• Program, modify, test, commission, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, NC, PMC, and robotic control systems.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, automation, communication, and equipment performance issues to minimize downtime.
• Develop and implement control system upgrades, retrofits, and automation improvements to increase efficiency, reliability, and throughput.
• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, production, and quality teams to resolve equipment and process issues.
• Assist with the installation, startup, commissioning, and launch of new equipment and automation projects.
• Provide technical training and support for maintenance and production personnel.
• Maintain and update electrical schematics, software backups, network diagrams, and change management documentation.
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements, company policies, purchasing procedures, and applicable electrical codes.
• Drive and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, reliability, productivity, and cost reduction.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Ladder logic

Electrical schematics

IP networking

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Lean manufacturing

Safety compliance

Education

Associate degree in industrial/manufacturing engineering

High School Diploma / GED

ISA CCST or CAP certification

PLC certification (Mitsubishi/Fanuc/Keyence)

Tools

Mitsubishi PLC

Fanuc PLC

Keyence PLC

Siemens PLC

HMI software

Job description

As a Controls Engineer, you will be responsible to maintain, update, troubleshoot and improve the controls system for industrial machining equipment, and integrated robotic assemblies across a machining and assembly facility.

Position Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to perform the following functions that the company has determined are essential to this position:

• Provide controls engineering support for CNC machining centers, assembly equipment, robotics, vision systems, automated production equipment, and facility automation.
• Program, modify, test, commission, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, NC, PMC, and robotic control systems.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, automation, communication, and equipment performance issues to minimize downtime.
• Develop and implement control system upgrades, retrofits, and automation improvements to increase efficiency, reliability, and throughput.
• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, production, and quality teams to resolve equipment and process issues.
• Assist with the installation, startup, commissioning, and launch of new equipment and automation projects.
• Provide technical training and support for maintenance and production personnel.
• Maintain and update electrical schematics, software backups, network diagrams, and change management documentation.
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements, company policies, purchasing procedures, and applicable electrical codes.
• Drive and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, reliability, productivity, and cost reduction.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Abilities

• 2 years or more with troubleshooting and / or modifying programs on various types of PLCs: Mitsubishi (Preferred), Fanuc (Preferred), Keyence (Preferred), Yamaha (Preferred), Siemens, Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) and data management.
• 2 years or more working with logic programming, VFD and servo motor amplifier/NC and IP Networking skills and background.
• Ability to read ladder diagrams and schematics (Electrical, hydraulic, mechanical and pneumatic).
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to collaborate across multiple departments.

Beneficial Skills and Experience

• Experience supporting machining and assembly lines in high volume/ fast paced environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of IATF16949 and its requirements
• Strong risk mitigation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate safety, quality, cost, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Self‑motivated, goal‑oriented, and results driven.

Education/Training/Certifications

• High School Degree / GED
• Associate’s degree or higher in industrial or manufacturing engineering (preferred)
• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) or Certified Automation Professional (CAP) (preferred)
• Mitsubishi, Fanuc, Keyence or equivalent PLC programming certification (preferred)